Right Abdominal Pain Since Gallbladder removal (worsening by day)

[warb]

My wife had her gallbladder removed approx. 10 months ago after family phys. found gallbladder function at 15%.  3 days after the lap. surgery  she was admitted into a local ICU for severe right side upper area pain, which has been there ever since, (no radiant travel of pain accross or down the abdominal area). The pain is located under/behind the first lower rib on her right side about 6-8 inchs from the center breast plate.  On site doctors claimed that this pain was post surgical swelling and it would go away. She was given demeral drip and released after 1 1/2 days.  She regularly complained of sharp pains in that area after performing physical task requiring lifting/stretching of the right side or right arm. 4 months ago the pain reached a level that required a visit to the local E.R. After X-rays and blood work, the ER physician said the pain was due to "slightly" packed bowls.  A pain shot was given for pain and E.R. Dr said to take a natural laxative, she was back in the E.R. the next night for severe dehydration and original pain of right side. Since that time she has had 7 trips to the emergancy room, 8 visits to the family Dr.. There have been 6 X-rays done to the area of pain, an upper scope, a Spirral C/T scan with contrast at 3mm.  An MRI of the upper and lower back area's. Numerous numbers of blood test, all of which showed nothing that the Physicians could even remotely claim to cause this pain.  The only common demoniator is that the last 4 sets of X-rays showed full bowels and these 2 metal clip things attached to the area where the gallbladder was before removal.  I have seen these X-rays many times and one of these clips are sticking up at approx a 20-25 degree angle. (center/0 deg angle being the right inner shoulder).  The other clip (left one, if you are face to face with my wife) is lying down at a left tilt angle of aprox 45-55 deg center/0 deg being the same reference point as stated above.  She has been prescribed (excuse the spelling on these) Loritab, Talwin, Oxycodon, and several other local IV's at the ER to help with the pain.  This pain has really really gotten worse in the last 5 to 7 weeks.  She almost cries herself to sleep everynight now due to the sharp pain in her right side.  Sometimes she said its a sharp stabbing pain that turns into a burning stabbing pain.  Non of which are superficial, all the pain felt can best be described as deep and under the ribs.  Our physician which we changed too approx. 4 weeks ago referred us to another surgeon but warned us that surgeons dont like going back in behind other surgeons to do any additional mending/repairs. After several trips to this new family Dr. and numerous NON-returned phone messages I accidently found this web-site and figured "what the hell". So if any of you medical professionals out there reading this post has some idea's let us know.  My 9 year old daughter and I will be right here by the computer watching mommy float around the room on her new drugs

[jenisue]

I am 1 week post op of gall baller removal. I have no desire to eat anything, and no energy to do so if I wanted.  I have this terrible pain in the right side mid rib cage area.  It is very intense.  There are also times it feels as though liquid is running down from my highest incision.  The feeling is like having an IV flushed out.  It is a cold sensation as it moves through. I had hoped that the surgery would resolve the major reflux that has developed in the last few months, but is seems to have intisified as well.  My surgery was not scheduled, I went to the ER and had all I could take after over a year of trying to avoid surgery.  I don't know if I missed any important infomation that could help me understand why things are still taking place.  I had no stones, they say the gall bladder was diseased (whatever that means) I am just curious as to side effects or problems after surgery that I was not made aware of.  Thanks:)

[Harmar]

You should all look into Celiac Disease.  This is an allergy to gluten and Dr's don't seem to know anything about it.  I have been going to a GI specialist for over 3 years and they told me everything from Irritable bowel syndrome to stress.  Finally after a Hida Scan, they found out that my gall bladder was mal-functioning.  Without trying to find out why, they took out my gall bladder.  I have been feeling worse with the same pain as everyone else is complaining about.  My boss said she thought I looked like someone else she knew who had Celiac -- I've lost weight since the surgery, look pale and sickly.  I started researching Celiac and I have so many of the symptoms it is unreal. (Although you can have Celiac and not have symptoms, also the symptoms vary from person to person.)  I got a blood test done last Friday to test for this and am waiting to get results.  In my research for Celiac disease I found out that if Celiac disease is undiagnosed in an adult it can lead to gall bladder malfunction and gall stones.  Bingo!  The gall bladder is removed but the problems persist or become worse.  Abdominal surgery (such as gall bladder removal) can also activate Celiac if you have it.  It is genetic, you're born with it but different things can set it off.  Celiac is one of the most underdiagnosed diseases.  Research shows that as many as 1 in 133 people could have it.  However, only 1 in 4,000 get diagnosed properly.  Honestly, do yourself a favour and research Celiac disease.  Reading through different threads regarding gall bladder surgery, I have noticed a few other people who have made the connection.  They were tested and diagnosed for Celiac and are now living a happy, pain free life on a gluten-free diet.  Isn't that worth looking into?  Very best wishes to all of you.

[telfy]

hi my brother is a celiac and was seriously ill at the time of diagnosis, no energy whatsoever and seriously anaemic,he started to get better and better after the first week on a gluten free diet, i dont think he suffered any of the pains described on here though.
my pain is more in my side around where two incisions were made and is more like stitch after running but doesnt wear off, noone seems to have the same problem as me so who knows what my problem is, my gp is inclined to think its adhesions so im stuck with it if thats the case as more surgery could cause more adhesions, a vicious circle

[mymeka]

I thought I would post my story, in case it would help others.

I had laprascopic gallbladder surgery on June 14.  The surgery went well, and I was home 6 hours afterwards, recouperating.

This past weekend I was experiencing TERRIBLE terrifying pain in my right rib, abdominal cramping and pain at the breastbone area.  After many calls to my Surgeon, I decided it best to have hubby take me to the Emergency Room.

After many tests (cat scan with barium swallow, ultrasound, bloodwork, etc.) they unfortunately determined that a gallstone was blocked in my bile duct and I was there in the nick of time, as this could have easily caused Pancreatitis and could have been even more serious.

I spent two nights in the hospital (just returned home) and had a procedure, called ERCP, that opened my bile duct and retrieved a 6 mm gallstone.

I am sore, and tired, of being poked, proded and having procedures and surgery, but I am home recouperating and hope to be back on my feet in no time.

Lori

[jeaniebell]

It's interesting that so many of us have pain under the right side ribs.  I remember having this pain before having my gallbladder removed and figured it was due to having asthma.  Now I wonder.  I notice mine starts if I tense up to much.  I hate when it happens while I am driving.  I have to pull over and get out of the car.  I find the best way to relieve the pain is to raise your arm/s up in the air and stand as straight as you can and breathe thru the pain.  It seems to end quicker this way.  I don't regret having my gallbladder removed.  I didn't have a choice.  I was told my gallbladder died and had to come out or I could die also.  Hmmmm.... that convinced me really fast and there was no time to shop around for another doctor.  I used to be nausated 24/7 and threw up many days.  Having the gallbladder removed did seem to clear up the nausea and throwing up.  Does anyone else wonder if it could be some type of muscle disorder that is still causing the pain?

[stock]

I am actually feeling a lot of mental relief just knowing that I'm not going crazy, and there are others that are going through the same thing.  Thanks for the support! I will continue looking for something that will help us and let you know if I find anything.  Hang in there.....Happy summer holidays :)